Napheesa Collier has to undergo surgery on both ankles and will be out for four to six months. That is bad news for pretty much anyone paying attention to women’s basketball, whether they are a Lynx fan, an Unrivaled fan, or just a fan of watching great players do great things. Collier finished second in MVP voting in the last two WNBA seasons and also dominated in Unrivaled.
Collier co-founded Unrivaled with Breanna Stewart, and the game was well-suited for her versatile skill set on both ends of the floor. She led Unrivaled in points and steals per game, won the 1v1 tournament, and took home the first-ever Unrivaled MVP award. While her team didn’t win the championship, Collier was the best player in Unrivaled last season. With her out, and stars like Angel Reese and Sabrina Ionescu opting not to return for a second season, someone else will have to step up as the league’s biggest star and best player.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options.
Unrivaled still has plenty of star power
Even with Collier out, Unrivaled has a ton of star players, and several of them are primed to take over as the best player in the league. As Unrivaled’s other founder, a former WNBA MVP, and one of the most versatile forwards in the game, Breanna Stewart comes to mind first. Stewart had a down season in the WNBA and could be seeking redemption during Unrivaled.
Chelsea Gray also has a strong case to step up as the best player in the league. Gray proved last season that she could thrive in the full-court 3-on-3 setting. She finished third in points per game with 21.4 and led all players in assists per game. She also dominated in the playoffs and was named Finals MVP after leading Rose to the first-ever Unrivaled championship. There’s little doubt that Gray will have another fantastic season.
Other top players from last season that could be in for a big outing are Allisha Gray, Alyssa Thomas, and Jackie Young. Gray already played very well last season, averaging 19.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. She is also fresh off an MVP-caliber WNBA season and a 3x3 gold medal at the AmeriCup. Jackie Young and Alyssa Thomas didn’t play much last year because of injuries, but both are some of the best and most versatile players at their position. Either could make noise in Unrivaled if healthy.
Some newcomers also have a shot at establishing themselves as the top players in the league right away. Kelsey Mitchell should thrive in Unrivaled’s fast-paced environment. She is one of the toughest players to guard in the WNBA. Now imagine her with even more spacing around her.
Last but not least, Paige Bueckers will be looking to carry over her instant WNBA success to Unrivaled. She is already one of the most popular players in the league this season and could also stake her claim as one of the best ones.